Alaska tests Wifi

Alaska will jump on the in-flight Internet bandwagon

Another airline has announced plans to test in-flight wireless Internet access. Alaska Airlines said it will work with technology vendor Row 44 to begin testing WiFi service next spring on one of its 737s. If the system works well, the airline will install it throughout its fleet of 114 planes. With the Row 44 system, “passengers with WiFi-enabled devices such as laptop computers, PDAs, smartphones and portable gaming systems will have high-speed access to the Internet, email, virtual private networks and stored in-flight entertainment content,” said an Alaska spokesman. Both Southwest and American Airlines previously announced plans to test in-flight Internet access, and Virgin America recently said it will install the technology fleet-wide.

In other news, Alaska and sister company Horizon Air have upgraded their web sites with new “Change Itinerary” sections that let travelers revise their plans online, even if they are already partway through a trip. Users can change travel dates and/or destinations, and the system will automatically adjust fares and taxes. “The enhanced feature can be used by groups of up to six passengers and allows each customer to make different flight changes,” a spokesman said. “It also allows Alaska Airlines MVP and MVP Gold Mileage Plan members to search for new flights with available upgrades to the first class cabin.” The airlines’ $50 fee for itinerary changes will remain the same for changes made online, but will go up October 3 to $75 for changes made by phone or at ticket counters.